"We are honoured to recommend the grey jay as a fresh symbol of our collective passion for natural environments, and our concern for their conservation and stewardship," Aaron Kylie, Canadian Geographic editor, said in press release.

The society will now lobby the federal government to officially adopt the whisky jack as Canada's national bird in an Act of Parliament in 2017 to mark Canada's 150th birthday.

"The project ignited a groundswell of public support because those taking part recognized they were joining a movement to identify a new national symbol of pride, identity and belonging on the cusp of the country's 150th birthday," Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said.

According to Canadian Geographic, the whisky jack, which can be found in every province and territory, boasts "traits that symbolize the Canadian spirit," including its friendliness and intelligence.

"They are a tough bird. The grey jay thrives in winter, nesting in the harshest, darkest month of the year and has been recorded incubating eggs in snowstorms at temps as cold as –30 C," the magazine said. "It has been known for centuries as a companion to Indigenous Peoples, early explorers and outdoor enthusiasts."

Black-capped chickadee: a symbol of unity

At the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's official National Bird Debate in September, Canada's poet laureate, George Elliott Clarke, made an impassioned plea for the chickadee, "a bird that exists throughout the country," in both rural and urban areas.

Black-capped chickadee can be found from coast to coast to coast, in urban or rural areas. (Kamloops Daily News via Canadian Press)

The chickadee would signal to the world that we embrace our diversity and overcome our differences, he said.

What's more, he said, the majestic beast is a symbol of female empowerment.

"It's 2016, folks. The snowy owl is a great example of Canadian girl power. The females are not only physically stronger but also socially dominant over the males. My Canada includes equal opportunities for women and female snowy owls and yours should too."

Common loon: the people's bird

In the vote that narrowed down the five finalists, the common loon earned the most support. That alone should qualify it as the bird of the people, said Steven Price, president of Bird Studies Canada.

In a national vote, the loon came out on top. (Pat Wellenbach/Associated Press)

He defended the creature that adorns our coins with a poem:

"The popular choice, loons lead the bird race/ They flap and they swim and they dive to first place/ 37 per cent, the people spoke clearly/ In Canada that gets you a federal majority."